UMATILLA, Ore.-The 10th Annual Fish’n the Brave veterans fishing event is November 8 in Umatilla.
Tony Fisher, of Fisher’s Catch Outfitters, started the event that provides veterans with a free day of fishing on the Columbia River to thank them for their service.
“It’s a way we can give a little bit back to our veterans,” said Fisher. “My dad served in Vietnam, and I’ve always had a heart for the military who provide the freedoms we enjoy.”
Fish’n the Brave is held over Veteran’s Day weekend each year, and allows veterans and active-duty military members to enjoy a day of guided fishing on the river and includes lunch, dinner and a raffle giveaway back on shore.
Fish’n the Brave
“We started ten years ago, and it’s grown every year,” said Fisher. “This year it exploded, we’ve got 150 veterans registered, the most ever, and 39 boats signed up.”
After coffee and donuts, followed by the National Anthem, boats will leave from the Umatilla Marina at 8 a.m.
Each boat will have 2-6 veterans per boat, targeting walleye and sturgeon, which are open for fishing year-round.
Depending on what the run looks like this fall, steelhead may also be open for fishing by November 8, according to Fisher.
“I love to give back and it’s fun to be around our veterans, listen to their stories and hear the friendly banter between different branches of the military,” said Fisher.
Veterans will enjoy a boxed lunch during the day and will head back to shore around 2:30 p.m. for the raffle, with a yet-to-be-announced big ticket item being given away this year, and a dinner, catered by GG’s Smokehouse.
A family affair
Boat captains are volunteering their time for “Fish’n the Brave” and sponsors, and the local community also make the event possible.
“The City of Umatilla and the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce are huge supporters of our event, we couldn’t do it without them,” said Fisher.
“Fish’n the Brave” is also a family affair for Fisher, whose son was nine when the event started.
Now a firefighter in Benton County, Fisher’s son, Miles, remains involved in the event and will run a boat for veterans this year.
“The event has been like a child, I’ve watched it grow and I hope it goes on, whether it continues to grow, or if it happens on a smaller scale with 5 or 6 boats,” said Fisher.
Fisher’s wife, Angel, is also involved with “Fish’n the Brave,” helping with the logo, branding and apparel.
The big-ticket raffle item that will be given away to a veteran this year was also Angel’s idea, something she thought of on the way home from last year’s event, and that has been in the works for the past year.
Every veteran registered for “Fish’n the Brave” is automatically entered into the raffle, with no purchase necessary.
More information about “Fish’n the Brave” is available online.
